Posts categorized "Encouragement"

June 10, 2018

Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right,

and by your merciful guiding may do them;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

~Book of Common Prayer

Right thinking starts with recognizing that God is truly good. It begins with realizing that His only disposition toward us is love.

Meditate on this for a minute with me:

God is good, and He loves us deeply.

That’s a really reassuring place to rest our hearts today, isn’t it?

How often I find my thought patterns swirling downward into a negative spiral that refuses to see God’s goodness, which (in spite of me) is always around me, always working.

I love that we can freely ask Him for the inspiration to “get our heads on straight,” and change those thought patterns that distract us from His goodness and from His purposes.

When we align our thinking with God’s, we begin to see where we can be instruments of His love, vessels of His mercy, and bearers of His justice.

He will guide us along the way. There is no need to worry, no need to be anxious about “missing” His will. When we start with His goodness and seek to share from the abundance we have received, we can’t go wrong.

I’m praying for you this week. May you experience all of God’s goodness, and may your mind be filled with peace.

April 13, 2018

This post first appeared in my blog in October 2015, but its still just as good now as it was then.

It seems like you probably ought to know what you want to be by now. Because technically you've been a grown up for awhile. :)

It seems like everyone else got it figured out in their twenties, or at least by their mid-thirties.

But you're still waiting on that epiphany that tells you, "This, THIS....is what I'm here for!" (There will, of course be a beam of light that will shine down upon you and there will be angelic choirs singing at that very moment. You will fall to your knees and open your hands to the heavens, releasing butterflies that will flutter around you in a magical dance.)

I've actually never known anyone who has had that kind of experience, but somehow we all kind of think that we will have "A MOMENT" in which all will become clear, even if it only happens in the Starbucks line.

Awhile back, I wrote a devotional/workbook for Women of Faith, about discovering your life purpose. It really challenged me to work through my presuppositions, and ask questions, and truly think about what purpose is all about.

I realized something important.

Those epiphany "MOMENTS" rarely happen.

Mostly, we find our purpose by bits and pieces.

You might even say, by fits and starts.

And sometimes, we bump into it without much of a plan. One day we might look up from something completely unglamorous and say, "Huh. So this is what it's all about. Cool!"

And that's perfectly okay.

Because you don't need an epiphany to be operating in your purpose.

In fact, you are probably alreadylivingit, even as you're waiting for that "other thing," that thing that you think you're supposed to do that's really remarkable, to happen.

Your greatest purpose in life is right in front of you, today.

Purpose is not for tomorrow. It's not for someday.

Your purpose is for today.

It's for the hours you're given today, for the decisions you face today, and for the moments that make up your life...today.

Your purpose is to simply do what's before you, in the best way that you can.

This is what I know: Your purpose is to do the right thing, which is to show up today.

Show up for the laundry, and for the job, and for the people who depend on you. Show up for your art, or that volunteer clean up crew you signed up for, or that blog you think no one reads, or that marriage that feels lifeless. There aren't any shortcuts, and there aren't any get-rich-quick schemes that will put you on the road to "success."

There is only faithfulness in the small things, and trust.

You can trust that God is working to bring about his purposes in you each day.

He sees you.

He knows you.

He has you in his hands.

God's got you.

So if you're still wondering what you're supposed to be when you grow up, just relax.

March 09, 2018

I'm so excited about a new book called, With Love, Mom - by Dawn Camp. If you are a mother or a daughter, or HAVE a mother or a daughter, this book is for you!

With Love, Mom is a collection of stories about the remarkable bond between mothers and daughters. I had the immense honor to both contribute a story (one of my favorite blog posts ever), and write the foreword to this sweet book. Here is a bit of it:

My own two daughters are grown. They burst into my life as two little redheads, so full of life and energy and creativity. I wondered sometimes, well, lots of times, how on earth to raise these darling hooligans. They tested my patience, tried my mothering skills, drove me to my knees...and they delighted me to no end. They taught me, truly, how to love. My girls, Lauren and Meghan, now have daughters of their own. As I watch them raise their girls, I have a chance to see what I could not always see clearly when we were in the thick of figuring this "mother-daughter thing" out: I see just how precious this gift is.

I see how beautiful it is.

Aw, MAN. I get teary just thinking about my girls.

This book is an invitation to pull up a chair and listen to other moms and daughters. No matter where you are in your journey, you'll find encouragement, inspiration, and wisdom from this sisterhood of friends.

I'm giving away a copy of With Love, Mom today!

Simply leave me a comment here that says something you love about your mom, or that you love about your daughter. We will all love reading the comments, and I'll draw a random winner over the weekend.

BTW, This would make a wonderful Mothers Day gift as well....just saying.

December 07, 2017

I didn't grow up in a tradition that formally observes the church calendar, but my parents still made sure we appreciated the anticipation of the season. As an adult, as soon as I learned that there was an actual tradition with candles to be lit each week, I started doing it with my own family around the dinner table. We would read scripture, light the candles, and sing "O Come Emmanuel" together. It was a simple way to bring our focus from the busyness of the season, to the wonder of a baby in a manger.

Advent is the time of anticipation, when we look for a Savior to rescue the world. This song still makes me stop in my tracks, both for its longing and for its hope.

In the hustle and bustle of these activity-filled days, and in the midst of a tumultuous world, we invite the King of Peace, Emmanuel, to come into our hearts and reign.

October 23, 2017

This index card has been on my refrigerator door for several years now, a small reminder to me for when I feel overwhelmed with tasks in front of me, which is pretty much every day.

I might look like I have it all pulled together, but the reality is that I fight disorganization and overwhelm every day. My default mode is to do a lot of worrying, and a lot of "planning," and not a lot of "doing." It's a terrible system.

That's why I need my refrigerator note.

Are you facing overwhelm this Monday morning? Hop over here to this post from awhile back - it's still just as true today....and I find that I still need the reminder.

Let's do Monday together. I'll be praying for you as you go about your day - that the sense of overwhelm will give way to a sense of purpose, and that you'll see your way clear to simply begin where you are.

October 17, 2017

Have you ever found yourself begging and pleading with God for Him to show you what to do? You SO want to please Him and serve Him...but how? What does He want from you? What is His will for your life?

Sometimes it seems like all your questions go unanswered, and you wonder where to start to find His will.

Well, here is a perfect place to start: Micah 6:8.

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." NIV

For years I asked God to show me His Big Plan: the great unfolding of ministry or purposes that seem hidden from me.

"Pleeheeheeeze, God!" And not surprisingly, God has never given me a clear vision of the future, just a clear vision of what He wants me to do today.

Right now.

And I'm convinced that getting this verse right will lead me to the next step in His plan for me.

I think of Micah 6:8 as a "bottom line" statement that is repeated throughout scripture in different ways. It holds straight answers for those who really want to live in the "sweet spot" of God's will.

God is saying here, "look, you don't need a new word from me, I've already told you what I'm looking for." Let's take the three requirements and see how they might apply to our own situations.

1. Act justly: In other words, live according to justice and do what's right. Now before we happily skip on to the next part because we've got this one covered, let's ask a few questions.

Do I owe anything to anyone?

Have I cheated on my finances, taxes or legal obligations?

Do I tell the truth?

Have I "done right" by people? Treated others as they should be treated.

I have to be honest and tell you that I was jolted out of bed at 5 am the other morning to make of list of things I needed to make right. I couldn't sleep. I owe someone a forgotten sales commission from years ago and I need to pay it. I've said I would do something for someone and have not fulfilled my promise. I got a pretty good little list going. I know God can't bless me further until I follow His conviction to live justly today.

2. Love mercy: Some translations say, "love kindness."

Am I merciful to others when I have it in my power to help someone?

Do I live in such a way that others are first, and I am last?

Do I see my material blessings as a means to bless others?

Do I give of myself only when it is convenient?

I'm so aware that I don't LOVE mercy! I sorta like it when it's convenient, but I can't say that my actions reflect the heart of God in all circumstances. Being merciful and loving kindness should be my way of life, no matter where I am or what I'm doing. That's His will for me.

3. Walk humbly with your God: Live in dependence and reverence.

Am I teachable?

Do I listen?

Do I think I've got God all figured out?

Do I constantly judge others?

Walking humbly doesn't fit too well in our culture. We now must tweet our every stellar action, and post photos of our accomplishments on our own websites. We're so aware of personal marketing that even parenting has become fodder for the "look at me" society. I fight the urge to look really spiritual and all put together for the people who frequent my blog. Do you struggle with this, too? I think all of this lops over into our spiritual life.

I want to be willing to be nothing- to be unseen, if it means glorifying Him.

Finding God's will for your life is really pretty simple.

It starts, and ends, with your heart. When you begin applying the paradigm found in Micah 6:8, you'll be amazed at how clear things become. As for me, I feel like I'm waking up in the middle of heart surgery...and although I'd like to jump off the operating table, I know my heart needs fixing. I want to embrace all that God has for me, and that means walking in what He's already shown me.

Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

Let this be a foundation for Him to build on, and I have a hunch that all the rest of His will for you will fall right into place.

May 08, 2017

This post first appeared here in 2015, but it's message is for you, for today.

I planted it more than a decade ago.

A lavender plant in a four-inch pot that held a tiny dream.

I was so hopeful back then. We'd moved to the country from our suburban neighborhood, and I imagined that someday I'd have a beautiful lavender farm on this place.

I could just see it: row after row of fragrant purple mounds that would be part of our new life and business.

But first, I'd see how well lavender would grow in the hardscrabble ground. I knew it wouldn't be easy. People told me it didn't have a chance. I chopped a hole in the rocky soil and set it in anyway.

"Go, little baby," I urged it.

And then life got tough.

The economy tanked.

We had to work hard to make ends meet, all while trying to finish raising our family in the whirlwind of high school and activities. The stress made my chest hurt at times. My husband and both lost sleep. We were exhausted, spent.

I abandoned the lavender farm dream, and went into survival mode.

The little plant was nearly forgotten in the years that followed, but somehow it hung on through blistering heat, record-setting drought, ice storms, and finally, torrential rains.

Every now and then I'd pass by it on the path, and see the small mound of silvery green foliage and marvel at its tenacity. Though alive, its growth was stunted by both the elements and my lack of care.

Not once did it flower.

It just survived.

It was like all of its strength was used up to simply stay alive, and there wasn't a single drop left over for something as frivolous as a bloom.

I understood, only too well.

Sometimes, just staying alive is the best you can do.

Surviving is victory.

It is victory enough.

Then the other morning, Tom pulled me outside. "You'll never believe it!" his eyes danced with a secret.

Our footsteps hurriedly crunched down the path on the hard ground. He brought me to a standstill in front of the lavender and pointed with a flourish.

"Take a look at this."

''Aaaaaahhhhh!"

My breath escaped in an awestruck sigh.

Fresh purple blooms floated above the green mound like a tiara. The warm breeze made them dance, tethered on their stems lest they frolic away.

I sank down in front of it and slowly rubbed the colorful florets between my fingers. The distinctive scent immediately permeated the air and lingered on my skin, and I had to smile.

Baby, you survived.

You made it.

Just look at you.

The ground around you is nothing but rock that doesn't hold water.

And yet you found a way to put down roots.

The drought nearly killed you, but you clung to life anyway.

The harsh elements seemed to stunt your growth, but braving them made you resilient.

You didn't let neglect stop you.

You just kept going.

Year after year.

And even when no one gave you any hope of surviving...

you did it anyway.

You are strong.

You are brave.

And you are spectacular.

Sometimes, just surviving whatever it is you're going through is victory enough.

You've got to just hang in there. Keep on going.

Cling to life.

Hold tight.

Because there will come a day when your roots will hit water, and your leaves will open, and you'll send up new shoots that are made to hold flowers like banners.

The sun will come out...and you. will. blossom.

Your day will come.

Maybe it's already here.

It's the day when "just surviving" is over, and your flowered tiara will float above you in a fragrant testimony to all that you've weathered.

Victory, my friend.

Remember this:

You will survive.

And you will bloom.

The desert and parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.....

April 17, 2017

After a wonderful Easter weekend, I went to bed Sunday night thinking about Monday. I started making my mental lists of what needs attention and how I need to get so much done this week. I felt the joy and hope of celebrating Christ's resurrection begin to slip away into the "real life" stuff of my normal schedule.

Maybe you feel it this morning too.

Back to the office, back to the grind. Back to putting the trash out by the curb on time, and remembering to pay that bill.

In the midst of my list-making, was reminded of Jesus' words in John 15:

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.14 You are my friends if you do what I command.15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.17 This is my command: Love each other.

I am struck by the way joy is intertwined with love. The way joy is not a passive feeling that descends out of nowhere, but is the result of love in action.

Love each other in the same way I have loved you, Jesus says.

This morning, the trash still needs to get hauled out to the road, and daily chores must get done. But I am actively looking for ways to be a part of God's love as I move through my day.

Jesus' amazing love was demonstrated through his self-sacrifice on the cross.

As a resurrected Savior, his love is continually demonstrated through you and me, by daily giving of ourselves to serve others in love.

That's how Sunday's joy will be carried into Monday....and Tuesday...and Wednesday....

March 13, 2017

Are you facing a tough and scary Monday? Are there things that are just beyond your control that are making you feel afraid? Anxious? Knees knocking?

I want to encourage you today: God's got this.

Everything's going to be okay.

"Don't be afraid," is God's message over and over throughout scripture and throughout history. He whispers it in the wind, He speaks gently, He envelops us with love.

"I've got this," the Holy Spirit breathes.

"Trust Me."

It's easy to become fearful when we insist on certain outcomes, and try to force God's hand to do our own bidding. We think we know best: we demand it and then bite our nails in worry that God will fail us.

How much better to leave the outcomes to our good and gracious Father! Let Him do His perfect work - the One who sees the whole scope of creation and our place in His plan - He will not fail us, even when the answer is different from our own, small ideas.

January 27, 2017

Today I'm welcoming my oldest daughter Lauren to the blog as a guest contributor! Lauren is a creative (graphic and web) designer, besides being a wife and a mom to two of my darling granddaughters named Ivy and Hazel. :) I've asked her to write several posts on sleep for us, as this is an area I know many of us sometimes struggle in, and it's one she knows quite well. First, she'll tell us a bit about her story, then share two unique tips for getting better sleep.

My sleep problems began the year I became a mother. And no, it wasn’t because of the precious little girl needing to be fed a few times throughout the night. While my daughter, Ivy, and sweet husband, Robert, slept soundly through the night, I would lie awake for hours trying to go to sleep.

What began as the typical new-mom response when a baby wakes up (you know the kind - “Quick! Get the baby!” and associated adrenaline rush) turned into a challenging way of life for years.

Insomnia has been something I have struggled with for almost four years. At it’s worst, I’d get less than four hours of sleep most nights for a month or more. There were days when the thought of the impending night would loom over me, making me sick with worry as the evening came to a close.

The nights never seemed to end and I’d finally greet the day - sometimes, without even an hour of sleep - only to face the next 12 hours of caring for Ivy and as well as my second daughter, Hazel. It was extremely frustrating not being able to fall asleep or have a reason for this problem. I wasn’t ever particularly worried or stressed about anything specific. My mind would not “shut off” while the hours ticked by.

The main concern, then, became sleep itself. The anxiety stacked up like a wall that I could never seem to climb over into restful sleep.

I’ve tried many remedies and my quest for better sleep is still ongoing. I recently emerged from a months-long bout of insomnia that peaked around Thanksgiving and recently is showing signs of retreating again.

Since I've had to become a student of sleep issues, I want to pass a long some things that I've learned. You’ve probably heard of many common remedies like taking a warm bath or drinking chamomile tea. But I have a few tricks up my sleeve that you may have not considered trying. In this series of blog posts, I’ll be sharing some tips to help you get better sleep.

Today, I want to talk to you about light and darkness.

Dim the lights and device screens in the evening.

Did you know that humans are extremely sensitive to light? In fact, various wavelengths of light (remember learning about that in school?) affect the level of melatonin in our bodies. Melatonin helps control your sleep and wake cycles. When you are exposed to light - especially blue light wavelengths - melatonin levels are low. As the day gets darker and the sun goes down, melatonin rises to help you fall asleep, get deeper rest, and wake with alertness. However, artificial light hinders your body's ability to produce more melatonin before you go to bed. That’s why looking at screens in the evening or in bed is so bad for sleep.

Start by dimming all the lights in your home a few hours before bed. I usually just keep one or two lamps on in the living room. If you need to turn on a light during the night, use very low watt lightbulbs and avoid looking at your phone. And if you like to read in bed, use a dim reading light.

You can also take charge of your devices by dimming the blue light emitted from their screens.

And by accessory, I mean eyeglasses. Because most flat screen TVs are very bright and don’t have the ability to dim the blue light, you can wear orange-tinted glasses to offset the blue. I know what you’re thinking, “That’s a little extreme.” And yes, the pair of glasses I own are not cool-looking by any means!

But out of all the remedies I have tried, wearing the glasses in the evenings have made the biggest difference!

I wear these dorky lenses in the evenings beginning a few hours before bed. They are the deepest orange lenses you can get and they block all blue light, even from standard light bulbs. You can find much more attractive lenses online, but these were less than $10 and were a cheap experiment to see if it helped. When I wear the glasses, I can feel my eyes and brain relax, and I’m actually more sleepy by the time I go to bed. I believe that by incorporating these glasses into my evening routine I was able to finally get relief from weeks of sleeplessness.

I've got many more tips to share with you in the coming weeks.

I'll share things like my favorite things to listen to to promote relaxation before bed, other natural remedies, and my experience in getting professional help for my health and sleep issues.

Have you ever experienced a series of sleepless nights? I'd love to hear about it. I really look forward to talking about this important issue.